£512,740 to 29 organisations supporting adults across Britain

Image above: Dance Base – supporting people with Parkinson’s.
©Brain Hartley

Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, £512,740 will now be distributed to 29 organisations across Britain, who are using arts and activities to improve the health and wellbeing of adults.

Delva Patman, Chief Executive of The Health Lottery Foundation, explained,

“After supporting a large number of projects that work with young people in 2025, this year we moved our focus to supporting adults to access creative or physical activities to improve mental health and wellbeing.

We are delighted with the variety of projects we’ve chosen to support and look forward to sharing more about their achievements in the future. Thanks to all who took the time to apply.”

The projects are from all over Britain and cover a wide range of topics including, dementia, homelessness, end of life care, bereavement, addiction, unemployment and cancer.

They offer a huge variety of different approaches to tackling poor health and wellbeing through arts and activities including, pottery, acting, painting, opera, dance, yoga, writing, football, walking and even skiing!

The organisations supported are tackling big issues and we are proud to be involved with so many.

Lancashire charity, Elisha House provides abstinence-based supported accommodation for 31 men in recovery from substance and alcohol misuse. They have received a £17,300.00 grant to establish a regular Arts, Movement and Wellbeing Programme.

Julie Whiteoak, Trustee said,

“Recovery is so much more than overcoming substance misuse. It involves tackling the issues which drive addiction, improving physical and mental wellbeing, connection, purpose, resilience and hope for the future. We are privileged to provide this programme combining evidence based creative and movement activities including drama, creative writing and Tai Chi. Participants will explore experiences and trauma in a safe, empowering way. We have witnessed first-hand increased confidence, self-esteem, coping skills and strengthened peer connections. These skills are so important for long term recovery and resilience going forward.”

 

Elisha House Theatre of Hope

Disability Snowsport UK, based in Scotland, requested a grant of £4,370 to enable disabled adults with low, or zero, activity levels, to take part in snowsport long-term, by removing financial barriers.

Ian Plested, Philanthropy Development Manager from Disability Snowsport UK said,

“With support from the Health Lottery Foundation, Disability Snowsport UK will be able to reach out and support more disabled adults, raising awareness and increasing involvement in adaptive snowsport across England. Getting involved in snowsport is life-changing for many of our participants, bringing opportunities for learning new skills, fun, excitement, improved physical and mental health and a sense of belonging to the snowsport community.”  As one disabled participant told us recently, “Sit skiing was something I never imagined I could do, nor could my family! Disability Snowsport UK has given me so much confidence in my own physical abilities, as well as in other aspects of my life.”

As well as supporting many sporting and theatre-based activities this fund has also awarded grants to several organisations using the natural environment as a setting for creative therapy.

Tir Coed is a charity that connects people with woodlands for learning and wellbeing in mid and west Wales. £14,773 has been donated to offer activities such as, green woodwork, weaving, whittling, charcoal making, cordage making, making natural paints and dyes and land art.

Helen Gethin, Chief Executive, Tir Coed said,

“This project funded by the Health Lottery Foundation enables Tir Coed to continue to offer marginalised people in the rural communities where we operate access to the many benefits of taking part in mindful activities in a therapeutic woodland setting. Learning new skills, meeting new people and connecting with nature are proven to help participants overcome personal barriers, build resilience and develop confidence to engage more fully in their communities.”

A woman working with a tree with Tir Coed in Wales and a woman takes to the slopes with Disability Snowsport UK.

About the projects